Another Successful MS-150 Keystone Country Ride is History | Centre County PA ARES / ACS / RACES Information

On Saturday and Sunday the 19th and 20th of July, over twenty Amateur radio operators from Centre, Huntingdon, Blair, Bedford, and Cambria counties again provided communications assistance for the annual Multiple Sclerosis Society Keystone Country Ride in Central Pennsylvania. The ride is an annual fundraising event for the MS Society and involves about 500 riders over 150 miles in two days.

Planning and coordination of the event with the MS Society was done by Drew McGhee, KA3EJV, and Carmine Prestia, K3CWP, the ECs of Blair and Centre Counties. This year Drew prepared ALL of the documentation and assignments for the ride using standard NIMS compliant ICS forms. That’s a first. Thanks Drew for the time and effort. Volunteers from Centre County and the Nittany Amateur Radio Club were:

The Centre Region Police Command Van was in use again this year at the Penn Stater housing two stations operating as Net Control on the Altoona (146.61- mHz) and State College Repeaters (146.85- mHz). Amateurs in SAG vehicles and the First Aid QRS unit were using APRS beaconing so that Net Control could track their locations in real time. Digipeaters near Altoona, K3ARL, Huntingdon, WO3T, and State College, W3YA made APRS coverage very good. Thanks to the Centre Region EMA for again loaning us the van. Here’s a picture of the Command Van and one of the external antennas.

There were two emergencies, one on each day. An accident on Saturday sent a rider to the hospital and Sunday a bee sting resulted in Net Control calling for an ambulance. Thankfully, the rider was not badly affected and was able to continue on the ride.

This year Susan Singer, KB3KDC, the Commonwealth ACS Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency came to observe and participate both Saturday and Sunday. Ms. Singer sent a special e-mail to the participants stating:

“You guys totally rock. It was awesome to see the level of professionalism that your amateur radio operators showed during the event. I came to the event looking to see what you were doing because the pre-event documentation was so well done; but now that I have seen the “big picture”, my socks have been knocked off!!! I called some of my state officers and told them how well organized this event was and I can tell you now, that I hope to be able to assist next year and work with your awesome team.”

Organizers particularly appreciated Ms. Singer’s interest and participation. It is evidence of PEMA’s interest in knowing what we do and how it can help in times of emergency.

Likewise Sharon O’Keiff, Director of the Keystone Division of the MS Society and Incident Commander expressed he thanks for the amateurs contribution to making the ride successful and safe.

My thank you to everyone who participated, some operators gave up their entire weekend to this event. That’s a commitment. Your help is much appreciated.

Carmine Prestia, K3CWP
EC, Centre County, PA